95 4runner 3.0v6. When I start up the truck, there is a really strong smell that comes from the engine compartment. It smells like really strong exhaust fumes. Is this normal or can I expect somethig to blow up soon?

Also is there any way to tell if the motor is running rich or lean w/o taking it to a shop? If so how and how do I adjust in either direction so it runs right?

Any help is appreciated.

 

Does it have a sweet smell to it, almost like syrup?

 

For mixture, an air/fuel meter is a good tool for the job. The one I have works off the stock O2 sensor:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...es/index.shtml

The ECU and O2 sensor work together to adjust the fuel mixture with inputs from some of the other engine sensors. A bad sensor can throw that off, so test them to make sure they are working properly.

 

Yeah, exactly. Any ideas?

 

Burning antifreeze has a sweet sort of smell.

 

That's not what I want to hear, seeing as I just rebuilt the motor after a blown gasket in #6 and I have maybe 20 miles and 1 1/2 hours of total runtime on the rebuild.

I just checked the oil and it is clear, like new, and doesn't appear to look like chocolate milk.I'll wait til the motor cools and check the antifreeze level to see if i'm losing that anywhere. Thx

Any other ideas????

 

If it's sweet, it's already been pointed out that it's more than likely a coolant problem. It could be leaking into the cylinder very slowly, then burning off at startup. Check to see if your exhaust is white when you first start it. If it goes away, it might be that you need to retorque your headbolts.

But this is speculation, of course.

 

Might want to do a cooling system pressure test.